Travel Blog: Breathtaking Botswana 2021

After 14 months without international travel, I decided to test the waters with a safari in Botswana, Africa in May.

I understand that overseas travel may not be for everyone at this point, but believe that as a trip designer and agency owner there is no better way to understand the process than to live it.

An Africa Safari is a particularly perfect destination at this time as all activities, dining and entertainment take place in the great outdoors. The intimate lodges that hosted us ensured the safety of their guests and the staff with constant cleaning, temperature checks, masks and food safety.

Arriving in Maun, Botswana took 4 flights from Chicago, multiple covid tests and following precautions set in place by South Africa, Botswana and Qatar Airlines. Admittedly, the amount of health forms and screenings seemed excessive. Even so, the hassle was well worth the effort and I felt comfortable about protocols in each airport and country.

The itinerary consisted of 2 nights at 4 different lodges, each of which is breathtakingly beautiful and unique in character. We had small bush flights between the lodges with our guides waiting to carry us immediately into the bush to view lions, giraffes, antelopes, elephants, zebras and wildebeests. There’s nothing like looking down from the skies and seeing a Land Cruiser clear away zebras from the tiny bush runway so your pilot can land the plane.

Once in Botswana, days were spent on game drives with soulful guides who use all of their senses to present breathtaking wildlife encounters. Morning #1 included following a male lion who wandered as close as 5 feet from our Land Cruiser while bellowing for his lionesses and spraying his territory to ward off his competition. A few nights later we watched as a lioness carried her newly born cub to safety. The group was silent as we held our breath & watched mamma watching us.

In between game drives we were treated to the warmth of the staff. Botswanans are beautiful, genuine, smart and funny and took pride in treating us with delicious meals (you will hear all about their famous beef), fresh cocktails, songs and wacky tales of bush life.

My supplier did a superb job creating this Botswanan Dream Safari. A key component was the Covid PCR test we had to have to leave the country and gain entry into the United States. Our leader arranged for a quick test in-between flights for us in Maun so that we would have the results in the appropriate time frame for departure. This went through without a hitch due to her advance arrangements. The attention to detail that all travel advisors need to succeed was on full display on this adventure.

This was my second African Safari and I'm already planning to go back for gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda and touring South Africa. Let Trekese design your next dream adventure!